Abstract

An efficient and economical protocol for the synthesis of 5-substituted 1H-tetrazoles from various nitriles and sodium azide is described using ZnO as catalyst. A wide variety of aryl nitriles underwent [2+3] cycloaddition under mild reaction conditions to afford tetrazoles in moderate to excellent yields. All the synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial activities were tested against Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gramnegative) and Streptomyces species (Actinomycetes).